Replacing Front Strut Inserts: First step ?

[mboucher70 at hotmail.com]

I'm looking to replace the front strut inserts on my Audi 100, 1990, non-quattro, non-turbo.  

I've gotten conflicting info from historic posts on the audifans website, other sites, and the hayes manual. 

Hayes talks about it being necessary to remove the entire front suspension strut assembly including pulling balljoint, hub, and tie rod, and brake calipers, etc.  I gather this is incorrect and that I can just remove the inserts through the top.

Is the first step to pull the piston nut with tool #2069?

Or is the first step to pull the strut upper mounting bolts (bolts used to adjust the camber)?

Or, as in this post below is the first step to "Jack up one side to the point where the front wheel is almost off the ground. With a pair of large channel locks or monkey wrench, go into the wheel well and remove the strut cartridge nut from the strut assembly. "

http://www.audifans.com/archives/1996/03/msg00997.html

is this bolt accurate, ie is there really a bolt below to pull, and does the car have to be jacked up first?


I'm hoping to also be able to replace the rubber boot through the top.  What other parts should I consider replacing at the same time?

Any recommendations on replacement inserts? Shoud I consider regular, gas-sachs, heavy duty bilstein, sport bilstein? 

Thanks in advance for any pointers.  

Charles